Stay connected

Press Release

New York, NY, February 10, 2012 … In recognition of his leading role in shaping the U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process, Ambassador Dennis Ross was honored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) with its inaugural award for distinguished public service. Ambassador Ross accepted the ADL Distinguished Public Service Award at the League's Annual Dinner in Palm Beach, Florida.

"Respected, wise, dedicated, and indefatigable are all words and terms that come easily when talking about Ambassador Dennis Ross," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "However, they are not enough to describe the special person he is, and the contributions he has made, and continues to make. All of us who care about a peaceful future for Israel, America and the Palestinians have cherished the open line we have to Ambassador Ross and have counted on his wise counsel when we brought him our ideas, our concerns, our trepidations, and our hopes."

A scholar and a diplomat, Ambassador Ross spent more than two decades playing a leading role in shaping Middle East policy in the administrations of President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, and President George H.W. Bush. He worked to facilitate Israel-Palestinian peace, including helping to broker the 1995 Interim Agreement and the 1997 Hebron Accord, and was the key person developing policies to counteract Iran's march to nuclear weapons capability.

"Working for Israeli-Arab peace became my life's work because I don't see any other alternative for Israel," Mr. Ross said in accepting the award. "I thank you for this honor. When you think about organizations that fight for what's right, it is hard to think of any organizations that supersede what ADL does."

He recently rejoined the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a think tank that focuses on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, as a counselor. He also has resumed his role as co-chair of the Jewish People Policy Institute, a think tank that develops strategies on issues of concern to Jews, where he works for the wellbeing and security of the Jewish People.

He is the author of several influential books on the peace process, most recently Myths, Illusions, and Peace: Finding a New Director for America in the Middle East (2009), coauthored with David Makovsky. He is a frequent contributor to The Financial Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News and World Report, as well as a foreign affairs analyst for Fox News Channel.

Ambassador Ross is the first recipient of the ADL Distinguished Public Service Award, which was established this year. The award will be presented periodically to those public servants who have made serving our country or the Jewish people their life's work and commitment.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.